Multipurpose circuit tester



April 5, 1955 R WARD 2,705,773

MULTIPURPOSE CIRCUI T TESTER Filed Sept. 3, 1953 INVENTOR.

fi A- MRO Ari-Y United States Patent MULTIPURPOSE CIRCUIT TESTER Ray A. Ward, Dallas, Tex.

Application September 3, 1953, Serial No. 378,229

1 Claim. (Cl. 324-73) This invention relates to a multipurpose circuit tester and has for its primary object the provision of an improved unitary devce which may be utilized for the testing of a variety of different types of circuits.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of such a device which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble and utilize.

Still other objects Will in part be obvious, and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawing wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a perspective front elevational view of one form of circuit tester embodying the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 3 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the lines 33 of Fig. l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram of the circuit of the device;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an auxiliary element utilized with the device.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several parts of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the device comprises a casing generally indicated at including a main body portion 11 having a centrally disposed recess 12 therein and front and rear closure plates 13 and 14 respectively. Rear plate 14 has attached thereto as by means of bolts 15 and nuts 16 a resilient clip 17 by means of which the device may be suitably attached to a belt or the like.

Referring now to the front plate 13, the latter is provided with a centrally disposed aperture 18 above which is an elongated aperture 19 above which in turn are located a plurality of apertures in triangular relation the purpose of all of which will be more fully pointed out hereinafter.

Recess 12 contains adjacent its lower portion a lamp socket 20 suitably carried by a spring clip 21 provided with connecting terminals 22 and 23 respectively, while positioned beneath the socket 20 is a block of insulating material 25 from which depend brass prongs 26 which extend through suitable apertures surrounded by insulating material 27 outwardly of the bottom of body portion 11.

A spring clip 28 supports a neon bulb 29 inwardly of and aligned with the aperture 19, it being noted that the socket 20 is aligned with the aperture 18.

The triangularly arranged apertures in the upper part of plate 13 are each adapted for the reception of a lead jack 30, 31 and 32. Each lead jack is composed of an outer cylindrical member 33, 34 and 35 respectively, each of which is provided with a central bore 36 which terminates interiorly in an enlarged threaded bore 37 adapted for the reception of a threaded end of a tubular socket 38 which extends through the aperture in front plate 13. The members 38 are secured in position by means of nuts 39 positioned interiorly of front plate 13,

and each member 38 is provided at its extremity with a contact terminal 40. As best shown in Fig. 1, lead jacks 41 are provided and include at each end terminal portions 42 which may be adapted for contacting or selectively for insertion into selected lead jacks.

As best shown in Fig. 5, a jumper 43 is also provided and includes a connecting electrically conductive member 44 having terminal portions 45 at right angles to the central portion which latter is surrounded by an insulating sleeve 46.

The electrical connections of the assembly are best shown in Fig. 4. From lead jack 30 a wire 50 extends through a juncture 51 to one of brass prongs 26. From juncture 51 a wire 52 extends to one terminal of neon bulb 29, from the other terminal of which a wire 53 extends through a resistance 54 to lead jack 31. A wire 55 extends from lead jack 31 to one terminal 22 of socket 20, from the other terminal 23 of which a wire 58 extends to a juncture 59. From juncture 59 one wire 60 extends to lead jack 32 and a wire 61 extends to terminal brass prong 26a.

In the use and operation of the device, when for example it is desired to test receptacles, light fixtures or appliances connected to any v. line, leads 41 may be inserted in the jacks 30 and 31; terminals 42 may be utilized to test such appliances.

When it is desired to use the device to test for continuity in an electrical appliance, electrical cords, field coils or the like, the lead jacks 31 and 32 may be utilized to receive the leads.

Direct 110 v. current may be passed through the leads by inserting prongs 26 and 26a into a 110 v. socket and inserting the leads into jacks 30 and 32.

Under these conditions the socket 20 may also be employed to test Christmas tree lights, bulbs, flashlight bulbs, etc.

By connecting terminals 31 and 32 by means of jumper 43 the device may be also utilized to test receptacles without the use of leads.

Similarly, by plugging the prongs 26 and 26a into any female plug, with jumper 43 in position the tester may be used to test sockets for fixtures that hold regular light sized bulbs. Such a female plug is indicated in Fig. 3 at P. The device may be also utilized to test for shorts throughout an entire wiring circuit by inserting the plug P into the socket that will hold the fuse, thus causing neon light 29 to remain lit until the short is located. From the foregoing it will be now seen that therein is provided a multipurpose tester which accomplishes all of the objects of the invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein before shown and described it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

A multipurpose circuit tester including a body portion, a bulb therein, a first lead jack, a connection between said first lead jack and said bulb, a second lead jack, a resistance, a connection through said resistance between said bulb and said second lead jack, a third lead jack, a socket, a connection between said third lead jack and said socket, a connection between said socket and said second lead jack, a pair of extending prongs, a connection between one of said prongs and said first lead jack and a connection between the other of said prongs and said third jack and a jumper for connection between said second and third lead jacks.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,835,882 Krippner Dec. 8, 1931 1,969,713 Bullock Aug. 14, 1934 2,548,991 McNab Apr. 17, 1951 2,581,497 Podell Ian. 8, 1952 2,616,952 Lauder Nov. 4, 1952 

